Surprise Vaticano Meeting: Royals Celebrate Anniversary with Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY, Vatican City — King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a surprise visit to Pope Francis on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, while the British royals were in Italy for a four-day state visit. The meeting coincided with the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary and took place at Casa Santa Marta, where the 88-year-old pontiff is recuperating from a serious bout of double pneumonia.

The Vatican confirmed in a statement that Pope Francis met the royal couple privately, extending his good wishes to Charles and Camilla and celebrating their wedding milestone. The Pope reciprocated the couple’s well wishes for his recovery, as he had been hospitalized for five weeks earlier this year.

“Their Majesties were delighted the Pope was well enough to host them and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person,” Buckingham Palace stated. The private meeting followed the postponement of a formal audience, initially scheduled due to the pontiff’s health issues. A royal source revealed the Pope extended an invitation to the royals after their official visit was canceled, though it was contingent on his recovery and only confirmed on the morning of the meeting.

The brief encounter lasted around 20 minutes and occurred after Charles made history as the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian parliament that morning. During his address, the king stressed the importance of the historic ties between Italy and the United Kingdom, particularly in light of current geopolitical challenges.

Pope Francis, who was discharged from Rome’s Gemelli hospital on March 23, appeared to be in good spirits during his first known meeting since returning to the Vatican. Earlier that week, he greeted a crowd in St. Peter’s Square, although he was seen using a wheelchair and nasal tubing to assist with his breathing.

This marked the third meeting between Charles and Francis, following the King’s previous visits in 2017 and 2019 for events such as the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Photographs released by the Vatican captured Charles holding a small red box, believed to be a gift exchanged during their meeting.

While the royal couple celebrated their anniversary later Wednesday evening at a state banquet hosted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace, their trip has also focused on fostering diplomatic relations amid ongoing conflicts in Europe. Charles emphasized the shared values and collaboration between Italy and the UK, particularly in response to humanitarian efforts surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

<p“As our countries have stood by Ukraine in her hour of need, it is essential to uphold peace and security on our continent,” Charles stated during his parliamentary speech. The king called attention to the necessity of unity and the vital cooperation between NATO allies in facing shared global challenges.

The meeting with the Pope illustrates a significant moment in the ongoing relationship between the British monarchy and the Vatican, highlighting the personal and diplomatic ties that have been fostered over the years. Both leaders continue to navigate health struggles while fulfilling their roles as prominent global figures.